Short-term rentals have always been prohibited within in the City of Arlington. In April 2019, the City Council approved an ordinance to establish an annual permitting process, operating guidelines, and specific zoning districts where short-term rentals would be allowed to operate. Now, nearly 5,000 parcels with single-family homes, townhomes, and duplexes, as well as apartment units, are eligible to apply to become a short-term rental.

Short-term rentals with a city permit will be allowed to operate in the following locations:

• The established Short-Term Rental Zone, which is anchored by the Entertainment District and extends approximately one mile from its center. The zone is bounded on the north by East Lamar Boulevard, on the west by Center Street, on the south by East Abram Street and on the east by the Southbound State Highway 360 Frontage Road.
• In Residential Medium Density (RM-12) Zoning District
• In Residential Multi-Family (RMF-22) Zoning District
• In all non-residential and mixed-use districts for dwelling units that exist as of Aug. 1, 2019.

Short-term rentals that have not obtained a permit from the City as of Oct. 1, 2019 must cease operation. However, a short-term rental that registered with the City for hotel occupancy tax remittance prior to April 23, 2019, and that is unable to obtain a permit, must cease operation by Jan. 31, 2020.